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"Mickey Blue Eyes", a film that's been sitting on the shelf for the better part of the year, stars Hugh Grant as a New York art auctioner finding himself increasingly involved in his future bride's family, who turn out to be the family. It's a fairly good premise for a film and for the first hour, the film scores with quite a few suprisingly big laughs. James Caan stars as the father of Grant's future bride, played by Jeneane Tripplehorn. When the film starts off and gets into the plot, the film stays sitcom-light and is able to mine some easy laughs from scenes like Grant recieving insane paintings from the mobster's psycho son that he has to sell through his auction house. Tripplehorn's character doesn't play much of a role in the proceedings, popping up occasionally to dissaprove of Michael(Grant's) increasing involvement with the Mafia. She's definitely wrong for the role, as little a role as it is: she's annoying throughout, not funny or even has any chemistry with Grant. Of course, she's right to worry as soon Grant is becoming a member of the Mafia under his own new name: Mickey Blue Eyes. Grant plays it all well, especially during the scenes where he has to "transform" into "Mickey Blue Eyes" and fake a New York accent. Other than that, he's doing the same Grant performance, only without(or at least not as much) of the annoying stuttering he's had in previous roles. Where it all takes a turn for the worse though, is about an hour into the film, where it takes a rather violent turn and doesn't come back. The last half of the movie is suprisingly somewhat dark and in direct contrast with the sort of light tone of the film's first half. It never really returns after that, with the exception of a few small laughs during the final scene. The direction is a tad questionable here; at first the film does go as planned, but as the film rounds into its second half, it seems to want to turn into an actual mob movie. Grant has obviously had a hand in the making of this film, since he produced it(with partner Elizabeth Hurley). Beyond the choices the film takes as it ends, one would think that he would have gone after material that was more suited to the kind of actor he is. When he tries to transform himself into "Mickey Blue Eyes", we laugh, but personally, it doesn't look as if he's comfortable in the role. Caan seems fine with the role of a mob member who, at heart, wants the best for his daughter- but, he's not exactly the most energetic actor, or the best at playing comedy. Did this really need to sit on the shelf for the better part of the year? Not really. It certainly isn't that bad and I was suprised by how much I enjoyed at least some of the film. For Grant, I'd certainly suggest looking for a different brand of script next time that can stand up to the kind of quality that was evident in "Notting Hill" and "4 Weddings and a Funeral". "Mickey Blue Eyes" is maybe worth seeing at a matinee, but you may want to think twice before spending full price. ** 1/2 BACK TO THE SITE: Listing Of DVD Special Sales Back To A Guide To Current Film A List Of Current/Upcoming DVD For Sale Soundtracks For Current Films |